The Government of the Northwest Territories launched a public engagement process in November 2017 to gather input on the future of waste management in the Northwest Territories (NWT). A Discussion Paper, Developing a Waste Resource Management Strategy, was shared broadly and feedback collected is being used to shape the development of a Waste Resource Management Strategy (Strategy). The Strategy will serve as a ten-year road map for improving waste resource management in the NWT. This document summarizes the feedback from the public engagement on the Strategy.

Help us collect fish samples! The Government of the Northwest Territories, in partnership with the Government of Canada, is studying the extent of contamination in the environment from former mining operations around Yellowknife.

A human health risk assessment (HHRA) is currently being carried out for areas that are offsite but near to the former Giant Mine, primarily to the west and northwest of the mine site. This study will look at whether people are being exposed to chemicals at levels of concern. Canada North Environmental Services Ltd. (CanNorth) is conducting this assessment on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC). CanNorth gave this presentation to the public on May 10, 2018 to update residents on the HHRA and collect additional input into the study.

The Guideline for the Management of Waste Lead and Lead Paint is intended to:
• Provide guidance to industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) operators in the Northwest Territories (NWT) on the proper management of waste lead and lead paint;
• Increase awareness and provide a brief introduction to the different types of waste lead and lead paint; and,
• Support the tracking of hazardous waste from generation to final treatment/disposal.

The purpose of the Guideline for Hazardous Waste Management document is to:
• provide guidance to industrial, commercial, and institutional operators in the Northwest Territories (NWT) on the proper management of hazardous waste;
• increase awareness of the different types of hazardous waste; and
• support the tracking of hazardous waste from generation to final treatment/disposal.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources maintains a database of hazardous material spills reported in the Northwest Territories since 1971. This report brieﬂy summarizes the data collected for spills reported in 2016.

The Mining RECLAIM Model has been developed to assist the GNWT, the Land and/or Water Boards, and other stakeholders (typically proponents) to estimate closure and reclamation costs at mines and advanced mineral explorations projects in the Northwest Territories (NWT). This User Manual includes descriptions of:

The Government of the Northwest Territories is be developing a Waste Resource Management Strategy to serve as a 10-year road map for improving waste resource management throughout the NWT. This Discussion Paper was developed by Environment and Natural Resources to provide some background information on the state of waste resource management in the NWT. Feedback on the Discussion Paper will inform the development of a draft Strategy and implementation plan.